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No. 625,3l8. Patented May 23, I899. E. s. BRADFORD. INKING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING PBESSES.

(Application filed Jan. 9, 1899.) (N0 Model.) 4 Sheats-Sheet I.

wwwwow QM No. 625,3I8. Patented May 23, I899. E. S. BRADFORD.

INKING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING 'PBESSES.

(Application filed Jan. 9, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 She'afs--Sheet 2.

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No. 625,3l8. Patented May 23, I899. E. S. BRADFORD. INKING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

(Application filed Jan. 9, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Shaets-8heet 3.

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No. 625,3I8. Patented May 23, I899.

E. S. BRADFORD. I INKING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING PBESSES.

(Application filed Jan. 9, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

NlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE S. BRADFORD, OF NE\V YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE STEEL PLATE PRINTING COMPANY, OF CAMDEN, NEXV JERSEY, AND PHILA- DELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

INKING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING-PRESSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 625,318, dated May 23, 1899.

Application filed January 9, 1899.

"0 (Mi whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EUGENE S. BRADFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and nseful'lmprovements in Inking Apparatus for Printing-Presses, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an inking apparatus for printing-presses, and particularly for those of the rotary-plate type, and comprises improvements in devices for inking the plate prior to its presentation to the impressioncylinder of the press.

My invention, statedin general terms, consists of an apparatus for inking plates in printing-presses when constructed and arranged in substantially the manner hereinafter described and claimed.

The nature and characteristic features of my present invention will be more fully understood from the following dscription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in which Figure l is a front elevation of a portion of a printing-press containing an inking apparatus embodying the main features of my present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section al view of the inking apparatus, showing the plate and impression cylinders in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a top or plan View of Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view on the line so ccof Fig. 3, illustrating the means for adjusting the extent of travel of the inking-rollers over the plate. Fig. 5 is a side elevational view, partly sectioned, of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the inking-fountain, inking-roll, and scrapers. Fig. 7 is an underneath plan view of the scrapers with their cover-plate removed, and Fig. Sis a detail view of a holder for one of the scrapers.

Referring to the drawings, the printingpress to be employed in conjunction with the inking devices of my present invention is provided with an impression-cylinder A and a plate-cylinder B, both suitably journaled in bearings in the framework O of the machine. The bearings a of the impression-cylinder are Serial No. 701,540. (No model.)

preferably supported in vertical guides a, and a spring 3 and a set-screw s" are provided, whereby the position and pressure of theimpression-cylinder are readily and efficiently adjusted.

The inking-fountain of my invention consists of a tank aipreferably of the form shown in the drawings and having an open front, in which is placed an inking-roller b. The ink ing-roller b, turning in the direction of the arrow, prevents the escape of ink at the front of the tank, and a scraper or doctor D is provided for cleaning or removing the surplus ink from the roller 1) before it comes into contact with the printing-plate B of the cylinder B and preferably at a point above the inking= fountain, so that the ink scraped off or held back thereby will not fall outside the tank a This scraper consists, preferably, of a series of similar elements arranged longitudinally along the inking-roller I), such elements comprising the blades d, secured by screws 61' in the slots d formed in the edges of the sliding plates or holders (1 which are arranged side by side against a suitable supportingplate (1 and are held against the same by screws or bolts (1 fastened to the supportingplate (Z and passing through slots (1 in the respective sliding plates or holders (1 The supporting-plate (1 forms the roof of a cover d for the tank a and this cover is pivoted, as at (1 to the tank proper, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6,whereby when the cover is swung back the inking-scrapers, as well as the tank, are rendered accessible for cleaning and other purposes, and particularly the scrapers can be easily replaced. The sup porting-plate 61 carries at its outer end a plate d, which is fastened thereto by screws cl or other suitable means. The plate cl is provided with holes (Z receiving the stems of screw-rods (Z which serve for adjustment of the respective sliding plates or holders (1 Each of the screw-rods (Z has a handle or wing (Z whereby it may be manipulated, and the stem of the screw-rod enters the tapped hole 61 in the plate 01 circle the stem of each screw-rod c1 and serve normally to hold the scrapers cl in contact The springs 01 enwith the inking-roller l) and yet to permit the scrapers to retreat from the roller should the ink contain lumps or impurities. Thus by the action of these screw-rods (Z any one or more of the blades cl may be entirely withdrawn from the inking-roller or made to bear with the desired degree of pressure thereon. The actual pressure of the blades upon the inking-roller is, however, effected by the springs (1, so that there is no possibility of the screw-rods being so manipulated as to bring a direct and positive pressure on the same, such as would be injurious to the blades and the inking-roller surface. Furthermore, by this construction any one of the blades may be removed,together with its supportingplate (1 and, if desired, a new blade may be inserted at any point. Moreover, the several springs act independently to bring all the blades into effective and uniform contact with the inking-roller, notwithstanding differences which may exist in the condition of the respective blades or of the various parts of the inking-roller Z).

Beneath the'holders (Z of the scrapers d is provided a plate or cover (Z which extends from the scraper d proper to the outer end of the cover (1*, as fully illustrated inFigs. 2 and (3 of the drawings. This cover-plate 61 serves to protect said holders d and their accessories against injury and is especially adapted to prevent said holders from being soiled by the ink, which by becoming hard thereon would prevent the movement of the individual holders C1 and thereby the scrapers d.

The inking-roller b is journalecl in bearings b in the tank a of the machine, and its shaft b is provided with a gear-wheel b driven through the intermediate gear-wheels b b and b whereof the wheel b is loosely journaled on a sleeve 12 and is driven from the gear-wheel N, which meshes with the main gear-wheel B so as to cause said inkingroller 1) to be driven in toward the under side of the scrapers d. v The sleeve b carrying the gear-wheels b and b is provided with a clutch b adapted to prevent rotation of the inking-roller b in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow in the drawings, which rotation would occur if the main gear-wheel B of the printing-press were accidentally rotated in a direction opposite to that indicated in the drawings.

e and 6 represent the transfer inking-rollers which convey the ink from the roller b to the plate B, carried on the cylinder B. The transfer inking-rollers e and e are respectively secured to the shafts e and 6 These shafts are journaled in boxes fitted in the upper ends of the cranks 6 which are pivoted to a fixed part of the machine by the shafts 6 On these shafts 6 at one end of the rollers e and e, are also arms a, in the upper ends of which are fitted swivel-boxes 6 the cranks e and the arms e being fixed to the shafts e f represents arms pivoted at f to the frame.v

of the machine and provided with friction rollers or projections f which fit a camgroove f in a drum f secured to the main shaftB of the machine. 7

f represents rods pivoted at f to the inner ends of the arms. f and which pass through,

against the plates by the movement of the arms fand the rods f these rods f being connected to the transfer inking-rollers e and a through the medium of the arms e shafts c and cranks e. The continued movement of the cam-drum f moves the transfer inking-rollers e and e away from the plate B after the latter has been inked and for a while holds them in an intermediate position between the printing or plate cylinder B and the inking-roller b, and then through the proper formation of the cam-groove f the transfer inking-rollers e and e are moved into contact with the inking-roller b and when inked and the plate has come around again are moved back into contact with the plate B.

By loosening the set-screw as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, securing the cam-drumf to the shaft B the said drum may be shifted, whereby the transfer inking-rollers e and 6 can be readily brought into engagement with a certain portion only of the plate B of the cylinder B.

It will be understood that there will be a fixed amount of movement of the transfer inking-rollers e and e by the cam-drum f throughout the operation of the machinethat is, the cam-drum will always move the transfer inking-rollers e ande and hold them in their respective positions, whether in contact with the plate B or away from the cylinder B, while the machine is running; but it sometimes happens that a smaller plate than usual is being printed from or that a plate with a portion of its surface only engraved is being printed from, and at such time it is desirable to move the transfer inking-rollers from the plate as soon as the engraved surface has been inked, thus saving the ink.

For the purpose of removing the transfer inking-rollers e and e from the plate as soon as the engraved surface has been inked, while allowing the same cam-drum f to remain on the machine and move the transfer inkingrollers e and e from the printing-cylinder to the inking-roller and to their intermediate position, are employed arms h, loosely pivoted at f, with the arms fand their inner. ends connected to the shafts e and e of the inking-rollers by means of the rods h, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3., The inner ends of the arms h are also provided with frictionrollers 762, which bear against the periphery The formation of the cam-drum f. The periphery of the cam-drum f is provided with two grooves 7L3 and n, of which the groove h is expanded at the bottom. Engaging the groove 7L3 are a number of blocks h", the groove 7L3 extending entirely around the wheel and the blocks being held to any desired adjustment in the groove by means of screws hf, passing through the blocks and jamming against the bottom of the groove, as illustrated in Figs. 4: and 5. The friction-rollers 71 are in the path of the blocks 7V, and the arms 72- are connected to the arms 6 which are secured to the shafts e of the transfer inking-rollers e and e, as illustrated in Fig.

It will be understood that when the blocks 7r come against the rollers 71 the transfer inking-rollers e and 6' will be shoved back away from the plate-printing cylinder B. This movement is but slight, but it is sufficient to carry the rollers out of contact with the plate B. This movement takes place while the transfer inking-rollers would otherwise be held in engagement with the plate by means of the cam f as described, and the rollers are permitted to be thus moved in the opposite direction to that in which they are held by the cam by means of the described connection between the swivel-boxes e and the arms fthat is, by reason of the rods f surrounded by the springs f The outer springs f are compressed slightly by the foregoing movement of the transfer inking-rollers through the blocks h. Bythe use of these blocks any desired amount of the plate-sun face may be inked,no matter how small, as the blocks may be so adjusted as to remove the transfer inking-rollers from the plate almost immediately after they are brought into contact with the plate. The combined length of the blocks is such as to hold the transfer inking-rollers beyond the plate-cylinder after they have been moved away until the cam-drum f arrives at a position whereby it moves the transfer inking-rollers back to their intermediate position between the inking-roller b and the plate-cylinder B.

Two transfer inking rollers have been shown and described with their respective mechanisms for inking the plate B; but it is evident that one roller alone might be used for the same purpose if found sufficient for any class of work.

The groove n of the cam-drumf performs no useful function with respect to the inking apparatus previously described; but its purpose and function are explained in an application for Letters Patent filed by me under date of September 24, 1898, Serial No. [591,756, wherein the wiping and polishing apparatus for the plate is described and claimed. It is shown in the drawings of the present application solely for the purpose of illustrating that the cam-d rum f may be used not only in conjunction with the plate wiping and polish ing apparatus,but also in conjunction with the inking apparatus of a plate-printingmachine.

The operation of the machine is as follows: Upon the shaft B being set into rotation the inking-roller b revolves in the tank a and receives ink upon its periphery. The ink is evenly spread and lumps removed by means of the scrapers d and is transferred atproper intervals of time to the transfer inking-rollers e and e, which, through the cam-drum f and intermediate mechanism, are caused to approach the roller 19 to receive ink therefrom. The rollers e and e are then caused to assume an intermediate position between the roller 1) and the plate-cylinder 13 until the proper moment of time when the cam-drum f causes into engagement with the rollers e and e and receives ink therefrom. The subsequent rotation of the shaft'B and plate-cylinder B serves to carry the plate B to successive positions,where it maybe wiped and polished and then presented to the impression-cylinder A. During this rotation of the cylinder B and plate B the cam-drumf will return the transfer-rollers first to their intermediate position and thereafter to the position at which they may again receive ink from the inkingroller 17.

As hereinabove set forth, the movement of the transfer-rollers e and e toward the platecylinder B may, when desired, be temporarily stayed by interposing the blocks 72,4 between the arms h of the rollers e and e and the periphery of the cam-drum f so that the platecylinder B may rotate more or less further, so as to present a portion or portions only of the plate B to the transfer-rollers e and a when the blocks h travel from between the arms h and the drum f Having thus described the nature and object of my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a machine of the character described, a shaft carrying arotary plate-cylinder, tran sfer inking'rollers, a drum mounted on said shaft and provided with a cam-groove and with an annulargroove, means in connection with said cam-groove and with said transfer inking-rollers for vibrating said rollers, and blocks adj ustably connected with and located in the annular groove of said drum, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. In a machine of the character described, a rotary plate-cylinder, a cam-drum adjustably mounted on a shaft, inking-rollers, arms carrying rollers engaging the groove of said cam-drum, rods pivotally attached to said arms and carrying spiral springs adapted to force with the required degree of pressure said inking-rollers against the plate of said cylinder, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. In a machine of the character described,

a rotary plate cylinder, a drum suitably mounted on a shaft, blocks adjustably connected with said drum, inking-rollers, means actuated by said blocks to shift said inkingrollers', and means connected with the blockactuated means for forcing said inking-rollers with required pressure against the plate of said cylinder,substantially as and for the purposes described. 4. In a machine of the character described, a tank, an inking-roller and a scraper having independently-movable blades engaging said roller and springs for pressing said blades toward said roller, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. In a machine of the character described,-

the combination with a tank and an inkingroller, of ascraper having independentlymovable blades engaging said roller, springs for pressing said blades toward said roller, and screws for withdrawing the blades from said roller, substantially as and for the purposes described.

6. In a machine of the character described,

the combination with a tank and an inkingroller, of a scraper comprising a supportingplate, sliding plates mounted on said supporting-plate, movable blades detachably mounted in said plates, springs for pressing said blades toward said inking-roller, and means, substantially as described, for separately adjusting said springs so as to regulate the pressure of said blades against said inking-roller, substantially as and for the purposes described.

7. In a machine of the characterdescribed, the combination with a tank and an inkingroller, of a scraper comprising a supportingplate, sliding plates mounted onsaid supporting-plate, movable blades detachably mounted in said plates, and adjustable spring devices for pressing said blades toward and regulating their pressure against said inkingroller, substantially'as and for the purposes described.

8. In a machine of the character described, a tank and an inking-roller, a scraper-frame pivotally secured to said tank, and a scraper having spring controlled movable blades adapted to engage said roller, substantially as and for the purposes described.

9. In a machine of the character described, an ink-fountain, comprising a tank, an inking-roller, ascraper having independently detachable and adjustable blades adapted to engage said roller, and a cover-plate for said scrapers and their accessories, substantially as and for the purposes described.

10. In a machine of the character described, an ink-fountain roller, a plate-cylinder, a

' transfer inking-roller, mechanism for moving the transfer inking-roller from said ink-fountain roller to said plate-cylinder, and mechanism for moving said transfer inking-roller away from said plate-cylinder, in opposition to the mechanism which moved said transfer inking-roller to said plate-cylinder, said mechanism consisting of a pivoted arm connected to the transfer inking-roller, a drum, and blocks adjustably secured to said drum, substan tially as and for thepurposes described.

11. In a machine of the character described, an ink-fountain roller, a rotary plate-cylinder, a transfer inking-roller, mechanism for moving said transfer inking-roller from said ink-fountain roller to said plate-cylinder and mechanism for moving said transfer inkingroller away from said plate-cylinder in opposition to the other mechanismand consisting of a pivoted arm connected to said transfer inking-roller, a drum having a grooved periphery and adjustable blocks fitting the groove of said drum, substantially as and for the purposes described.

12. In a machine of the character described, a roller for applying ink to a rotary plate-cylinder, means for moving said roller into contact with said plate, comprising pivoted arms, a cam for moving said arms, rods connected with said arms, a second arm connected with a transfer inking-roller and With which is connected said rod, and springs placed between said second arm and nuts on said rod, substantially as and for the purposes described.

13. In a machine of the character described, a roller for applying ink to a plate, mechanism for moving said roller into contact with said plate by a spring-pressure, and mechanism for moving said roller out of contact with said plate, in opposition to the first-mentioned mechanism and consisting of a pivoted arm connected to said roller, and a drum having adjustable blocks secured to its periphery and adapted toengage with said arm, substantially as and for the purposes described.

14. In a machine of the character described, an ink-fountain roller,a transfer inking-roller, a plate-cylinder, and mechanism for moving said transferinking-rollerfrom said ink-fountain roller to the plate-cylinder, consisting of arms e and e, a cam f rods f and springs f substantially as and for the purposes described.

15. In amachine of the character described, an ink-fountain roller,a transfer inking-roller, a plate-cylinder, means for moving said transfer inking-roller from said ink-fountain roller to said plate-cylinder, comprising arms e e and e a cam f rods f and springs f and means for moving said transfer inking-roller away from said plate-cylinder in opposition to the other mechanism, and which consists of arms it, connected with said transfer inking-roller, a drum f and adjustable blocks h, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

v EUGENE S. BRADFORD.

WVitnesses:

J. WALTER DOUGLASS, THOMAS M. SMITH. 

